May 17, 2004
By Lucille Davie
JOHANNESBURG, the city that boasts the headquarters of South African soccer at Soccer City in Nasrec, is ready to play a role in hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
"Be assured that we stand ready to use our resources and expertise to help promote abroad the many advantages and benefits that visiting players, officials and spectators will be able to enjoy during the 2010 World Cup," says Eddy Khosa, deputy CEO of the Johannesburg Tourism Company.
The company offers congratulations to the people who pulled off this "incredible coup" - President Thabo Mbeki, former presidents Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk, bid chairman Irvin Khoza, bid committee CEO Danny Jordaan, and the entire bid committee.
South Africa's soccer headquarters are situated in Johannesburg at the 94 000-seat FNB Stadium in Nasrec, which is to get a R350-million facelift over the next two years, according to ThisDay newspaper. The city is to play host to world soccer body Fifa, with its headquarters during the World Cup to be situated at the Sandton Convention Centre. The media centre is to be based at Nasrec, south of the city. Johannesburg has another international soccer venue, the 60 000-seat Ellis Park Stadium, and several other smaller venues, which are likely to be used for training purposes.
Cheryl Carolus, CEO of South African Tourism, described the confirmation of the successful bid as "absolutely sensational", adding that "the country's tourism industry will be ready and waiting to give a warm South African welcome to the thousands of fans who will flock to the country for the largest sporting event of its kind in the world".
Johannesburg hosted the prestigious and highly successful World Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2002. South Africa hosted the Cricket World Cup in March 2003, with the final match and five games being played in Joburg.
"We are very proud to once again have been given the opportunity to showcase to the world that South Africa and its cities are more than capable to deliver world class services and hospitality," said Khoza.
Carolus concluded: "The country has shown without a shadow of a doubt that is has the ability and maturity - in possessing the sophisticated world-class infrastructure and technology and quality tourism products - to facilitate and exceed beyond expectations in hosting such an international gathering of diverse cultures pursuing one single passion."
Johannesburg has a good percentage of those world-class facilities, from stadiums to hotels to conference facilities.
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